Education

Public Education is a daily responsibility of the Los Angeles Fire Department and all departments within the City of Los Angeles. The LAFD not only focuses on educating the public we serve, but also outreach to the community and to our future firefighters.

Every day, the LAFD has members on fire engines, ladder trucks, ambulances, and specialized resources throughout Los Angeles visiting schools, businesses, houses of worship, neighborhood council groups and many other stakeholders within its 470 square-mile response area. This is an opportunity to provide public education in Fire Safety, Emergency Planning, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Preparedness to inform the public and their families.

The Los Angeles Fire Department works closely with local youth in the LAFD Cadet Program. We begin teaching and training our young adults, ages 14 to 21, about the fire service and how important it is to get involved early on the path to becoming future firefighters. LAFD Cadet Posts are spread through the entire city of Los Angeles.

The LAFD also has mentorship programs for individuals who are interested in a career in the fire service. These mentors provide the guidance for future candidates on direction, leadership, and support throughout the hiring process. For recruitment: www.joinlafd.org.

The LAFD promotes and educates the public with programs such as monthly safety campaigns, Sidewalk-CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation), and others in coordination with the Community Liaison Office. The LAFD partners with many City departments to educate the public about preparedness, recovery, and resilience in the face of all types of emergencies.

We collaborate with other agencies and non-profit organizations including the American Red Cross and MySafe:LA.

Training and education is also available through many other programs. The LAFD provides Disaster Awareness Courses (DAC), Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Public Access Defibrillator Program, Fire Extinguisher Demo’s, High Rise Evacuation Drills, or other specific training tailored to the needs of your occupancy. These inquiries can be made via email at LAFDrequest@lacity.org.

CERT

The Los Angeles Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program was developed because of the need for a well trained civilian emergency work force. The CERT program provides the Los Angeles Community with self-sufficiency through the development of multifunctional response teams who act as an adjunct to the city's emergency services during major disasters. CERT trained members can give critical support to first responders, and provide immediate assistance to the citizens of Los Angeles. CERT members can also assist with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community. Through this unique training program, people from community organizations, businesses, industrial, and City employee groups will work together as CERT members. They work as a team, and perform as individual leaders by directing untrained volunteers in the initial phase of an emergency. This certified training is a 17 ½ hour course broken up into 7 classes over the course of 7 weeks. This training is taught by the LAFD at no cost. For more information contact the LAFD-CERT Unit at 213-893-9885 or email request to lafdcert@lacity.org.

DAC

The Disaster Awareness Course (DAC) addresses a critical need before and during disasters— ensuring that individuals and families are prepared and able to preserve their family’s safety and protect their property. DAC is an extension of the successful Ready Campaign, which is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies. The program focuses specifically on business, community, family, and individual preparedness. DAC helps people prepare their loved ones, coworkers, and friends to plan for the inevitable and enact pre-disaster skills and training to serve their loved ones during a disaster. It helps in preparing their families to survive while they are waiting for the assistance from first responders to arrive.

The goal of the Disaster Awareness Course is to emphasize the importance of preparing individual and family emergency plans, emergency supply kits, and learning how to access critical information following a disaster. These are all concerns that can be addressed before a catastrophe occurs. The Disaster Awareness Course is offered at no charge to any group or individual. The one to three hour presentation is delivered by professional first responders who understand the value of building resiliency and empowering citizens to be self-sufficient following a catastrophic event. To set up a presentation or get more information please contact (213) 978-3579 or email request to lafd.dac@lacity.org.

If you have questions regarding any of these educational opportunities we encourage you to reach out to your local fire station for guidance on what program will suit your needs. Our fire station list is located here.